Jesse Jantzen

Who is Jesse Jantzen?

Jesse Jantzen is an American wrestler. Competing for Harvard University, he won the 149-pound weight class at the 2004 NCAA Division I national championship, earning Outstanding Wrestler honors and becoming Harvard's first national champion in 66 years. He placed third in 2003. Prior to his college career, he gained national recognition by becoming the first 4-time state champion in the history of New York high school wrestling. Jantzen also won the NHSCA Senior National championship in 2000. He is currently working to earn a spot on the United States Olympic team for 2008. His brother Corey will wrestle for Harvard as a member of the class of 2011.

Jantzen is considered one of the best top-position wrestlers in American college history. Some detractors suggested that because of his reliance on mat wrestling, he would not fare well in freestyle, which focuses on takedowns. Jantzen developed a series of moves on top known as the "Jantzen Ride." In 2005, Jantzen won the University World Games in Men's Freestyle at 66 kg/145 lb.